Over the years I have used all manner of sand and all manner of ratios. I do not think there is a sand or a ratio. Its what works best for you and its not all that critical, not in the least.



Heres the problem, sands in nature, are a mixed grain, from what we call normal sand.(you look at it and say, SAND) to fines. Sands that are store bought, are sifted into a consistant grain size, say 30 grit or 40 or 10. 30 grit or 40 grit is what you would look at and call sand. hahahahahahahahahaha



The problem with store bought sand is, its often manifactured, that is, its made from crushed rock and is nothing but grains of sharp edges, Which is why some folks say sand plugs up reptiles, Yes sands that are like broken glass will plug them up. Natural sands are worn smooth and pass right through the gut with no problem, in fact many lizard species eat sand. But it must be rounded/worn sand.



Sands that are sifted to one grain size, LEAK. that is, water and humidity pass right through them. Sands with fines slow that down.



So natural sands that are a mixture of sizes, do not require any additives like coco junk or sphagum or anything. Sands that are sifted to one size, do require help. Either add fines or some other junk.



Reptiles again like birds, have adapted nesting to suit their enviornment. Xeric species, do not want organic manner, they want clean sand, soil, dirt.



Reptiles that occur in wetlands often have to nest about water level/ground level and have adapted to nest is organic soils or leaflitter etc. Normally forest, wetland mateials are acid based, and Xeric materials are alkaline based.



I have been fortunate to recognize this and its worked well for me. One really good trick I have used for turtle nesting is sand based nesting covered in leaflitter. Man does that do the trick. Works great with turtles and snakes, but sucks with monitors, as monitors will mix it up(busy bodies)



Anyway, anything close is better then what was posted below, the one with the scattered eggs. Greggs set up works, but in my opinion, a bit restrictive. But a million times better then scattered eggs and females eating their eggs. They NEVER eat them if they nest successfully.



Soooooooooooooo, its not all that critical, and most anything you do will benefit the animals. As you gain experience, your mix is based on your conditions. Like, I am going to be gone, so mix in more organic matter, or cover with leaflitter to allow humidity to stay in the substrate. Or pure sand, is you have access to go natural sands. beware when digging up good natural sands, you often dig up reptile eggs



Soooooooooooooo there you go, I over did it again. Best wishes

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